I've been to a minor place
and I can say I like its face
if I am gone and with no trace
I will be in a minor place

well I put the shoes in line
separate the women mine
as we do what we do fine
so victorious, so benign

chorus

only take the weather warm
and the job that does me harm
the scars of last year's storm
rest like maggots on my arm

chorus

thank you man if for the thought
that all my loving can be bought
was wisely in your gullet caught
before my loyalty you sought

chorus

o it's not a desert nor a web
nor a tomb where I lay dead
minor in a sound alone
yes a clear commanding tone

singing from my little point
and aching in my every joint
I thank the world it will anoint me
if I show it how I hold it



Lyrics submitted by cardamom


A Minor Place song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:This song reminds me of a quote by Søren Kierkegaard:
    "In addition to my numerous other acquaintances I have still one more intimate friend — my melancholy. In the midst of pleasure, in the midst of work, she beckons to me, calls me aside, even though I remain present bodily. My melancholy is the most faithful sweetheart I have had — no wonder that I return the love!"

    The first few lines seem to say that the narrator has been to a low place in life, but he understands what the feeling is for and its importance to his life- perhaps even to the point where he loves his intimate friend.

    I've been to a minor place
    and I can say I like its face
    if I am gone and with no trace
    I will be in a minor place

    In the final stanzas of the song he seems to say that a minor, or low place, in life is not the end, nor is it a barren place like a desert- it's really what you make of it. It's minor in sound/feeling alone, and it has a commanding tone to it that drives him to make art despite the pain.

    o it's not a desert nor a web
    nor a tomb where I lay dead
    minor in a sound alone
    yes a clear commanding tone

    singing from my little point
    and aching in my every joint
    I thank the world it will anoint me
    if I show it how I hold it
    Flag Memento22Morion March 10, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Also, minor chords (guitar an other) sound distinctively more melancholy than major chords.
    Flag fanoftheelipsison July 17, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Almost two years without a comment on this song?
    It's still fantastic. The echo-y piano parts are pretty great.
    Flag whatchamacallmeon April 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think he's referring to a place where there's less importance, less "gravity". Kind of like being on avacation,
    Flag Schizimaon July 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think he's referring to a place where there's less importance, less "gravity". Kind of like being on avacation,
    Flag Schizimaon July 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is just about life being transitory, it's all just a "minor place" we're in
    Flag vulgaron May 31, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:a minor place is the state of depression. not necessarily bad however as how can one know happiness if he doesn't know sadness. this is what makes life so great. i think this is a theme of the whole album. life is sometimes crap so enjoy the good stuff.
    Flag fanoftheelipsison May 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's not about nothing happening. A minor place is a good place. It's not Springsteen, it's much more existential. It's a mental place. And death.
    Flag mikeoson March 01, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:i'm working a summer job at a concrete plant in midloathian (aka middle of nowhere), texas. it seems like the type of place you go to get forgotten. this song seems pretty appropriate.
    Flag mattballengeron June 27, 2006   Link

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